Boston Celtics: Creating the all-time one-year starting five

Small Forward: Joe Johnson (2001-02)

Technically a shooting guard, with his 6-7, 240-pound stature Joe Johnson has proven capable throughout his career to hold his own while playing small forward. Because of this, we have him listed as such in this starting-five.

Drafted 10th overall by the franchise in 2001, Johnson was seen as a solid scoring option to slot into a lineup alongside stars Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker. And, while the young prospect did struggle from time to time throughout his first season, it wasn’t anything out of the norm — after all, he was a rookie for God’s sake.

Through 48 games and 33 starts Johnson went on the average 6.3 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game on 44 percent shooting from the field. However, though and up-and-down season for a first year pro is somewhat expected, the C’s front office believed they saw enough from the 20 year old and, on February 20th, 2002, they traded him to the Phoenix Suns for Tony Delk and Rodney Rodgers.

From there, we saw him improve his statistical outputs quick rapidly, upping his numbers in virtually every area: averaged 9.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists and just shy of a steal per game on 33 percent shooting from downtown (shot just 27 percent from that range with the Celtics) through 29 games, 27 of which were starts.

Often times, all young players need is time to get acclimated. Obviously, Boston gave up on Johnson far too early, as he would go one to have himself quite a successful NBA career. Finishing his tenure in the league with averages of 15.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists on 43 percent shooting from the field and 34 percent shooting from three and being selected to 7 All-Star games, Johnson was seen as one of the league’s best talents for a majority of his 17 years in the NBA.

Had the C’s not given up on him so fast, it’s likely he would have been considered one of their best starters over the past two decades in reality rather than on a roster compiled of players who saw short-lived tenures with the team.